Republican hopefuls prepare to debate in Iowa late last year. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

(Newser)
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The gay-marriage debate prompts Michael Gerson at the Washington Post to remind Republicans that the nation "is in the midst of a large, consequential shift" in attitudes thanks to the rising generation of 20-something millennials. Generally speaking, they're more socially liberal, not big fans of organized religion, and don't want government butting into their private lives. Sure, many of them will become more conservative as they age, but "the baseline of social liberalism is starting higher than in previous generations." And the GOP better take heed, he warns.

The tone used by the likes of Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry, and Rick Santorum on social issues just won't fly in the future, he writes. "Republican rhetoric will need to be oriented toward shared moral aspiration instead of harsh judgment." It doesn't mean social conservatives have to sacrifice principle to survive politically, but they may need to move toward "pluralism" to accommodate those with "differing moral beliefs." Click to read his full column.

Republicans never cease to confuse me. They claim to love America and revere the constitution. Yet, if you aren't the same color, didn't arrive on our soil the same time their parents did, don't worship the same way (or at all), have different sexual/lifestyle preferences, live in a city, or hold different values, you can't be (by their lights) a TRUE American. They even speak of their willingness to kill other other Americans. And what about their ~40 attempts in recent years to amend the constitution. It seems being republican requires them to hate all other Americans. How can you love America and hate Americans?

Observer

May 12, 2012 9:58 AM CDT

After the killing spree horror unleashed on the world by George Bush - any 20 year old with a brain knows that the Republicans are shit. Only a real brainwashed fucking idiot Evangelical would accept someone like Romney, Santorum or Bachmann.

BCWills

May 12, 2012 2:30 AM CDT

this isn't really anything new. Today a candidate wouldn't go on TV and say they are against equal rights for African-Americans, it would be the end of their career. In the 1960-50s it wouldn't of been. 20 years from now, it will be political suicide for a candidate to say that homosexuals shouldn't be able to get married. liberal/progressive/new ideas become conservative (the status quo) ideas over time regardless of what party support them. (Republicans after all use to be the liberal party and Democrats were the conservative party). The Republican party of the future will have to support socially liberal ideas that are widely accepted by the mainstream youth or they won't have anyone to vote for them once the baby boomers die off.